bow while standing on his hind legs, tossing pieces of bread off his
nose, putting up his fore-paws with a most imploring look, and piteous
whine, which the boys called "begging for money," and when a chip had
been given him, he uttered a most energetic bow-wow-wow, which they
regarded as equivalent to "thank you, sir," and walked off.

While they were thus amusing themselves, their mother was sitting on the
rude piazza which ran along the front of the cottage, now looking at the
merry children, and then thoughtfully gazing at the long shadows which
were stretching across the road. Mrs. Hamilton was a woman of wonderful
strength, and energy, both of body and mind; and she had been sustained
for many years by the Christian's hope; but there was now a heavy burden
resting on her soul, which even her native energy and Christian trust
were unable to remove. She had known many days of worldly prosperity,
since she had resided in that little cottage; but of late, trials had
multiplied; and days and nights of heart-crushing sorrow had been
appointed unto her. He who should have shared life's trials and
lightened their weight, had proved recreant to his trust, and was now
wandering, she knew not whither; and poverty was staring the deserted
family in the face. Debts had accumulated, and though Mrs. Hamilton had
done all that could be done to meet the emergency, though she had
labored incessantly, and borne fatigue and self-denial, with a brave and
cheerful spirit, it had been found necessary to leave the home so dear
to her,--the home where she had been brought a fair and youthful bride;
where she had spent many happy years, and which was endeared to her by
so many sweet and hallowed, as well as painful, associations. Every foot
of the green meadow, the orchard on the hill, and the pasture lying
beyond, was dear to her; and it was painful to see them pass into other
hands. But that heaviest of all the trials which poverty brings to the
mother's heart, was hers also. The conviction had been forced upon her,